What is an adult?

[KCMiller]

Hi,

I know that there are adult only areas on the ships, and in the restaurants, but what age do they consider an adult? If my 17 year old daughter wants to eat/swim with us, is she not allowed? How about my 13 year old, who loves high tea?

I just like to set expectations for them - they've cruised with us many times, and dined in many fine restaurants, but if they're not permitted, I understand - I just am wondering what they consider to be a child.

Thanks,

KC

 

[ivanova]

Hi,

I know that there are adult only areas on the ships, and in the restaurants, but what age do they consider an adult? If my 17 year old daughter wants to eat/swim with us, is she not allowed? How about my 13 year old, who loves high tea?

I just like to set expectations for them - they've cruised with us many times, and dined in many fine restaurants, but if they're not permitted, I understand - I just am wondering what they consider to be a child.

Thanks,

KC

For the adult only areas, adult = 18 years old. And they can "card" (typically asking for KTTW cards which has age embedded in the card's information).

 

[DrCavin]

DCL only has one restraunt for 18 & older, Palo, all other restraunts have no age restriction. The adult pool is also 18+. You still have the family pool, but it is definitly more crowded.

 

[viva02]

Depending on the staff your 17 yr old could get into the adult only areas. I've found them to be very strict. When I was 18 they carded me for breathing. The only place they seem not to card young girls is the spa. They obviously don't discriminate when it comes to money.
karina

 

[StuartMI]

Main Entry: 1adult
Pronunciation: &-'d&lt, 'a-"d&lt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin adultus, past participle of adolescere to grow up, from ad- + -olescere (from alescere to grow) -- more at OLD
1 : fully developed and mature : GROWN-UP
2 : of, relating to, intended for, or befitting adults <an adult approach to a problem>
3 : dealing in or with explicitly sexual material <adult bookstores> <adult movies>
- adult·hood /&-'d&lt-"hud/ noun
- adult·ly /&-'d&lt-lE, 'a-"d&lt-/ adverb
- adult·ness /&-'d&lt-n&s, 'a-"d&lt-/ noun

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=adult&x=0&y=0

 

[HeelMD]

My daughter asked my wife this one time and her response was "someone who doesn't act like your father."

 

[DisneyTart]

Hi,

I know that there are adult only areas on the ships, and in the restaurants, but what age do they consider an adult? If my 17 year old daughter wants to eat/swim with us, is she not allowed? How about my 13 year old, who loves high tea?

I just like to set expectations for them - they've cruised with us many times, and dined in many fine restaurants, but if they're not permitted, I understand - I just am wondering what they consider to be a child.

Thanks,

KC

Hi KC - Just so you know you are not alone...my DDs are 16 & 13. The 16 yo in particular has traveled quite a bit, And while in Europe last summer she and I went everywhere together no questions. Both were disappointed they couldn't do High Tea at Palo ( sorry Wendy's Tea isn't a good substitute). I'm hoping the teen activities will hold their interest. We are all Disney nuts and cruising w/ family so I'm sure they will have fun.

I have read on these boards that DCL is very strict about the age thing. A funny side note though...the hotel we are staying at the night before is charging us for 4 Adults because they consider over 13 not a child.

 

[ChrizJen]

Main Entry: 1adult
Pronunciation: &-'d&lt, 'a-"d&lt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin adultus, past participle of adolescere to grow up, from ad- + -olescere (from alescere to grow) -- more at OLD
1 : fully developed and mature : GROWN-UP
2 : of, relating to, intended for, or befitting adults <an adult approach to a problem>
3 : dealing in or with explicitly sexual material <adult bookstores> <adult movies>
- adult·hood /&-'d&lt-"hud/ noun
- adult·ly /&-'d&lt-lE, 'a-"d&lt-/ adverb
- adult·ness /&-'d&lt-n&s, 'a-"d&lt-/ noun

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=adult&x=0&y=0

Figured SOMEONE would be a Smart-Alec...
Shoulda known it would be you, Stuart!

 

[linco711]

I just sailed with my DD age 16. She did not like the teen activities. She thought them to be too juvenile. She had fun though, and just hung out with Dear Old Mom. Since there were only the two of us cruising, she was charged the adult price though. The family pool was full of young kids, so opted not to do that. Would have loved to do Palo's, but could not. We did enter Cove Cafe and ordered Mochachinos...YUM! We were told by the staff that we could order, but would have to leave immediately after since it too is 18 or over. Whatever the rules were, we followed without complaint, but for older teens, it does seem a bit ridiculous and antiquated......That being said we still had a great time!

 

[KCMiller]

I guess I understand having adult only areas and restaurants, but I was hoping that at least the high tea or the brunch would be available for older teens. Trust me, I don't want squalling infants or restless 8 year olds next to me at a fancy dinner, either. But it does make it difficult for those of us with older teens to choose a Disney cruise, if they are relegated to the kiddy pool and the teen club (which means that I am, too, if I want to hang out or eat with them).

Ah, well. We may still consider it.

KC

 

[Jsme]

Nothing against anyone...but we are going on a cruise in a few weeks and leaving the children at home for a reason. We want to be able to enjoy the adult areas and activites without having them around. We have cruised two times before with DCL and this is my dream to go without them, therefore this is my birthday present this year. I would be very upset at the CM's if they allowed anyone under the age of 18 into any of the adult areas. Several years ago after doing our first DCL we chose to go on another CL and although we had a great time we wished we would have sailed with DCL. So I am truly looking forward to cruisng with out our children. We both have wanted to go on DCL for a while without our children so we could enjoy the adult activities without having to worry about our kids.

Last year while at Palo's there was a little girl around the age of 5 walking around the outisde windows and looking in to try to find her mom. Just so happens her mom and dad were sitting beside of us. So for 30 minutes this little girl beat on the windows screaming for them. It was very upsetting that Disney would allow this and more upsetting that two parents would do this to their child. It was very distracting to have a child doing this. If I had wanted to hear a child doing this I could have walked out to the Mickey or Goofy pool. Thus, the whole reason for all adult areas.

 

[lbgraves]

I think that the problem with that 5 yo was with the adult who was suppose to be responsible for her while her parents ate at Palo. It certainly wasn't fair to her that they didn't make an effort to keep her busy & distracted while her parents, and everyone else in the dining room at that time, enjoyed their meal.

I was talking to friends today about the thought of taking a 3-4 day cruise for our 10th anniversary in 2 1/2 years. I just couldn't bring myself to get on the ship without the kids though. We don't have anyone to leave them with so that is part of it.

 

[Jsme]

I think that the problem with that 5 yo was with the adult who was suppose to be responsible for her while her parents ate at Palo. It certainly wasn't fair to her that they didn't make an effort to keep her busy & distracted while her parents, and everyone else in the dining room at that time, enjoyed their meal.

I was talking to friends today about the thought of taking a 3-4 day cruise for our 10th anniversary in 2 1/2 years. I just couldn't bring myself to get on the ship without the kids though. We don't have anyone to leave them with so that is part of it.

I spoke to the parents after dinner and asked the same thing. Her older sibling was watching her. I am sorry but I do feel one of the parents should have went out and gotten control of the situation. It was upfair for this child to bang on the windows crying and wanting her mommy. Very selfish fo the parent to sit there and ignore the situation. I could never do this. That child should have been in the lab or the parents should not ate at Palo's.

Well I am looking forward to the alone time with my DH, never said I do not feel guilty about leaving my children behind. I will miss them terribly but we always go on one nice small vacation by ourselves every year. It is a time for us to reconnect. And I always miss them and mention how if they were here they would enjoy this or that. It has become a joke with DH and myself. If I am not doing it he is. BUT we still have a great time. LOL

 

[lbgraves]

Hey, if we had people who we trusted and our kids would stay with them, DH & would get away more...well, maybe. LOL! It just isn't an option for us so I haven't dreamed about it much.

 

[ibouncetoo]

My daughter asked my wife this one time and her response was "someone who doesn't act like your father."

Just bathed my monitor in Coca Cola!

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Depending on the staff your 17 yr old could get into the adult only areas. I've found them to be very strict. When I was 18 they carded me for breathing. The only place they seem not to card young girls is the spa. They obviously don't discriminate when it comes to money.
karina

The spa, while it's on the Disney ship, is a separate contractor as I understand it. (This may explain the cluelessness I saw on the part of some employees when I was in there.) While I'm sure they're happy to take your money, no matter your age, there are probably some liability issues involved so they probably should have checked.

CB

 

[mom+3girls]

I am cruising with my DDs 17,12,10 in Sept on the Magic, My 17 year old hates most teenagers, she is very mature and doesn't like the things that most teen like, she is involved in politics and loves history. She is worried that she will not have a good time because she isn't really interested in the same things that most teens are. I called DCL and ask since I am paying an adult fee for her and she is 5 mo from being 18 if she could go to the pool at least or participate in some of the adult activities, like the sminars towel and napkin folding, backstage tour, and I was told that it would depend on who was actually working, but they didn't think it would be a problem. They did say she would not be able to go to Palo and probably not go to the pool. My daugher does not look 17 she looks like she is 10 she is only 4'10". They did tell me to ask whoever was working, they said it may depend on how crowded that the pool is at the time. Palo would be out of the question. Didn't ask about High Tea.

 

[branv]

I'm going to try to word my opinion on this very carefully, b/c I don't want to appear disrespectful of anyones feelings.

I do not have children...which I've discovered usually makes people stop reading my opinion right there But I have worked with kids of all ages in the past. One thing I dealt with ALOT were parents who thought their kids were different. They were certain Johnny could handle this, or that Susie was more advanced then those, etc. I'm not saying they were always wrong. But I'm saying that plenty of people think that way about their children. Plenty of them perhaps overestimated their chidren, some didn't.

SO, my point in saying that is that if you took every parent who thought their child should be the exception to the rule, AND made exceptions for them...there would be absolutely no point in there even being Adult sections. It would be in theory only.

Honestly, if DCL didn't have Adult only sections, that they truly enforced, then I would not go on DCL. They know this. They even know that parents want some adult only time. So much of the ship is geared towards families and kids, that I think the adults section deserves to be respected. It's a shame that a mature 16 or 17 year old may get bored or feel out of their element, but that should be taken into consideration when booking a vacation. It's a matter of if you make exceptions for one, when does it end? Who determines the cut off point?

I do partly question charging an adult price for under 18. Adults, teens, children all have special places and activities, so really the only reason Disney might justify why children are cheaper is the food consumption (adult menu vs. kid's menu.) Curious..

 

[logan1_2000]

Sorry, just came across this thread moments after leaving my input at the latest "why should I comply with the formal night dress code cuz its my vacation and i paid my $" thread, and I thought of the parallel. The age code is a rule, it is posted in advance, some may not like it, some may ask if an exception can be made for a mature non-disruptive 17 year old, but in the end it seems passengers will ultimately respect the cruise line's rule that certain areas are adult only. so why is the cruise line's dress code for its restaurants wantonly abandoned? I don't tend to see postings that say "hey, I'm paying my bucks for my 15 year old son, same as if he was an adult, so its my vacation and i can take him to the adult pool or palo or the cove cafe or diversions after 9 pm". But we do see folks who say they can dress however they like on formal night instead of either dressing up or taking advantage of the non-formal dining options that are available on board for dinner.

 

[branv]

Because people know one is generally enforced while the other isn't (disclaimer: or so it seems from what I've read)